PHOENIX RISING

Band/artist history

Guitarist, Gary Skopick has remained the one constant with over the years. Based out of the western suburbs of Chicago, the band has taken many turns in band members over the past 36 years. Drummer Dave Goode kept in touch with Gary after they met while Dave was touring as Frank Marino's drummer. This summer Dave and Gary have been collaborating on a number of new songs, via the internet. Many include the talents of bassist, Mike Cowden, and others give Gary a chance to add his own bass lines. Called appropriately, , Gary and Dave have been completing at least one new song, weekly, this summer.

current CD, , starts and ends with it's heavier metal tracks. Trace Cronin was bassist from 2004-2010. Drummer, Victor Salazar added his talents to a few of the tracks that were added on or updated later in 2006.

The primary style of the band is Progressive Rock Instrumental. There are some Jazz-Fusion influences, but the music has a metallic edge to it,and remains very rocky.

The past 4 CD's have been self-produced by the band digitally in our own studio. Previous projects were all done in Chicago studios.

Jon Maru played bass for most of that period, but there have been several different drummers. Lamar Almeida played most of the songs recorded on

REDSHIFT with Steve Blank, Gary, and Jon Maru, opened for the French Prog/fusion band,NeBelNest in 1999, when they made their first US tour, in Chicago.

Earlier, Gary and his first band, had opened for , Brett Garsed's and TJ Hemerlich's fusion band, in the mid 90's. Gary's biggest thrill was when , featuring Victor Salazar and Trace Cronin opened for Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush in 2005.

Have you performed in front of an audience?

GARY SKOPICK'S REDSHIFT is more of a concert band, than a bar band. We play all originals at our gigs. We just played a great gig of a lifetime, opening for guitar legend, Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush. Frank Marino inspired Gary, at an early age, and it was an honor to be on the stage that night.

Your musical influences

Planet X, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, Frank Marino, Dream Theater, Steve Vai, Steve Smith, Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi, Uli Jon-Roth, Frank Gambale, John McLaughlin, Frank Zappa, Rush, Pink Floyd, Robin Trower, Terry Bozzio, Virgil Donati, Mike Portnoy, and many more. We don't sound like anyone else, but you can pick up some of these musicians' influences in our style.

What equipment do you use?

Gibson Les Paul SG Custom guitars.

Marshall 1959 Hand-Wired Stack.